The American Spectator

p> PARSKY PRIZE br> Re: George Neumayr’s The California Dead : /p>

Over the summer, George Neumayr blamed Bill Simon’s campaign problems on liberal bias in the California media. Now he is blaming Simon’s defeat on something he calls “liberal Republicans.” This is typical of the political immaturity of the far-right of California Republicans.

George, I have some news for you. There are virtually no liberals in the Republican party. There are many moderate Republicans; for instance, there are legions of people who vote Republican because they are fiscally conservative but are basically pro-choice on abortion. Such people are not liberals; they just aren’t doctrinaire far-right conservatives.

There are lots of similarly-minded people who do not automatically vote Republican — these are the “independents,” the “swing voters,” and they have to be motivated to come to the polls and vote our way. Simon’s failed to project himself as a serious, effective candidate to “swing voters” and that is why he lost.

p>California is now a thoroughly liberal state. How else can you explain voters approving every single bond measure ($20 billion worth) during a time of gaping state budget deficits? So, my fellow California Republicans, remember the lesson of Bill Simon during the primary in March 2006. Vote for the Republican who can persuade the “swing voters” in the general election. It was as plain as the nose on your face this last March that Bill Simon was not up to that job. br> — Tim Bacon br> Wrightwood, CA /p>

George Neumayr replies: Where were all those “legions” of moderate Republicans in the primary when Richard Riordan lost to Bill Simon by 18 points?